Exchange of parameters relating to measurement periods

ABSTRACT

Methods, a first, and a second network node as well as a user equipment for exchange of measurement period related parameters are provided. The user equipment performs a method for measuring a measurement quantity of a secondary cell on a second carrier operated by a second radio network node. The user equipment receives, from the second radio network node, an indication indicative of the second carrier and a first parameter indicating a measurement period for measuring the measurement quantity of the secondary cell. The user equipment measures said measurement quantity on the secondary cell on the second carrier over the measurement period. The measurement period is a predefined value times the first parameter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/502,142, filed Jul. 3, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/062,703, filed Mar. 7, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.10,390,242, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/377,180, filed Feb. 14, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,319,204, which is aNational Stage of PCT Application No. PCT/SE2011/051044, filed Aug. 31,2011, which is related to, and claims priority from, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/422,388 filed Dec. 13, 2010, thedisclosure of which is incorporated here by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications systems,and in particular, to methods, systems, devices and software forexchanging measurement period related information in radiocommunications systems.

BACKGROUND

Radio communication networks were originally developed primarily toprovide voice services over circuit-switched networks. The introductionof packet-switched bearers in, for example, the so-called 2.5G and 3Gnetworks enabled network operators to provide data services as well asvoice services. Eventually, network architectures will likely evolvetoward all Internet Protocol (IP) networks which provide both voice anddata services. However, network operators have a substantial investmentin existing infrastructures and would, therefore, typically prefer tomigrate gradually to all IP network architectures in order to allow themto extract sufficient value from their investment in existinginfrastructures. Also to provide the capabilities needed to support nextgeneration radio communication applications, while at the same timeusing legacy infrastructure, network operators could deploy hybridnetworks wherein a next generation radio communication system isoverlaid onto an existing circuit-switched or packet-switched network asa first step in the transition to an all IP-based network.Alternatively, a radio communication system can evolve from onegeneration to the next while still providing backward compatibility forlegacy equipment.

One example of such an evolved network is based upon the UniversalMobile Telephone System (UMTS) which is an existing third generation(3G) radio communication system that is evolving into High Speed PacketAccess (HSPA) technology. Yet another alternative is the introduction ofa new air interface technology in Evolution UMTS Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (E-UTRAN), wherein Orthogonal Frequency Division MultipleAccess (OFDMA) technology is used in the downlink and single carrierfrequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) in the uplink. In bothuplink and downlink the data transmission is split into severalsub-streams, where each sub-stream is modulated on a separatesub-carrier. Hence in OFDMA based systems, the available bandwidth issub-divided into several resource blocks (RB) as defined, for example,in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) TR 25.814: “PhysicalLayer Aspects for Evolved UTRA”. According to this document, a resourceblock is defined in both time and frequency. A physical resource blocksize is 180 KHz and 1 time slot (0.5 ms) in frequency and time domains,respectively. The overall uplink and downlink transmission bandwidth ina single carrier of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system can be as largeas 20 MHz.

An E-UTRA system under single carrier operation may be deployed over awide range of bandwidths, e.g. 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz, etc. As anexample, a single carrier deployed over a 10 MHz bandwidth can include50 resource blocks. For data transmission the network can allocate avariable number of resource blocks (RB) to the user equipment (UE) bothin the uplink and downlink. This enables a more flexible use of thechannel bandwidth. This because the channel bandwidth is allocatedaccording to the amount of data to be transmitted, radio conditions,user equipment capability, scheduling scheme etc. In addition, theneighboring cells, even on the same carrier frequency, may be deployedover different channel bandwidths.

Multi-carrier, also known as the carrier aggregation (CA), refers to thesituation where two or more component carriers (CC) are aggregated forthe same user equipment. Carrier aggregation is considered forLTE-Advanced, such as Release 10 (Rel-10), in order to support widerbandwidths, i.e. bandwidths wider than 20 MHz. The use of carrieraggregation enables a manifold increase in the downlink and uplink datarate. For example, it is possible to aggregate different number ofcomponent carriers of possibly different bandwidths in the uplink (UL)and the downlink (DL).

Carrier aggregation thus allows the user equipment to simultaneouslyreceive and transmit data over more than one carrier frequency. Eachcarrier frequency is generally called a component carrier. This enablesa significant increase in data reception and transmission rates. Forinstance 2×20 MHz aggregated carriers would theoretically lead to twofold increase in data rate compared to that attained by a single 20 MHzcarrier. The component carrier may be contiguous or non-contiguous.Furthermore, in case of non-contiguous carriers, they may belong to thesame frequency band or to different frequency bands. This is oftenreferred to as inter-band carrier aggregation. A hybrid carrieraggregation scheme comprising of contiguous and non-contiguous componentcarriers are also envisaged in LTE advanced.

In LTE advanced several contiguous and non-contiguous carrieraggregation scenarios are being considered. A scenario comprising 5contiguous component carriers each of 20 MHz (i.e. 5×20 MHz) isconsidered for LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD). Similarly for LTEFrequency Division Duplex (FDD), a scenario comprising 4 contiguouscomponent carriers each of 20 MHz, i.e. 5×20 MHz, in the downlink and 2contiguous component carriers in the uplink is studied. It shall beunderstood that the number of component carriers that may be aggregatedmay be less than or greater than five. Thus, even more componentcarriers are possible to aggregate depending upon the availability ofthe spectrum.

In a carrier aggregation system (CA system) one of the componentcarriers in DL and in UL is designated as the primary carrier or primaryCC (PCC), which is also termed as anchor carrier. The remaining CCs aretermed as secondary CC (SCC). The primary carriers in the DL and UL mayalso belong to different bands in case of inter-band CA. The primarycarriers generally carry the vital control and signaling information.

Typically the component carriers in carrier aggregation belong to thesame technology, e.g. either all are of Wide Band Code Division MultipleAccess (WCDMA) or LTE. However, carrier aggregation between carriers ofdifferent technologies is also possible to increase the throughput.Using carrier aggregation between carriers of different radio accesstechnologies (RAT) is also referred to as “multi-RAT carrieraggregation” or “multi-RAT-multi-carrier system” or simply “inter-RATcarrier aggregation”. For example, the carriers from WCDMA and LTE maybe aggregated. Another example is the aggregation of LTE and CodeDivision Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) carriers. For the sake ofclarity carrier aggregation within the same technology may be referredto as ‘intra-RAT’ or simply ‘single RAT’ carrier aggregation.

The network may configure one or more secondary component carriers(SCCs) for the user equipment supporting CA. Said one or more secondarycomponent carriers may be configured using higher layer signaling, e.g.Radio Resource Control (RRC). The network may even configure such a userequipment in single carrier mode. The network may also de-configure anyof the configured SCCs. The network may activate or de-activate any ofthe configured SCC anytime by using lower layer signaling e.g. bysending activation/deactivation command in the Medium Access Control(MAC). The user equipment is able to receive data on SCC which isactivated. The user equipment saves its power by not receiving data onthe deactivated SCC.

In radio communication systems various measurements are performed by theuser equipment in support of a number of different network functions.Performing such measurements in new systems, such as those describedabove, raise various issues and challenges.

SUMMARY

An object is to improve performance of measurements performed by a userequipment served by a radio network node, such as an eNB, of a radiocommunication system, such as an LTE system.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a method in a firstradio network node for enabling a second radio network node to determinea first parameter to be used by a user equipment for measuring at leastone measurement quantity on a second cell. The first parameter relatesto a first measurement period. The second cell is operated on a secondcarrier by the second radio network node and the second cell serves theuser equipment. The first radio network node sends at least oneparameter relating to the first measurement period to the second radionetwork node. In this manner, the first radio network node enables thesecond network node to determine the first parameter based on said atleast one parameter.

According to another aspect, the object is achieved by a first radionetwork node for enabling a second radio network node to determine afirst parameter to be used by a user equipment for measuring at leastone measurement quantity on a second cell which serves the userequipment. The first parameter relates to a first measurement period.The first radio network node is configured to operate the second cell ona second carrier. The first radio network node comprises a transmitterconfigured to send at least one parameter relating to the firstmeasurement period to the second radio network node, whereby the secondradio network node is able to determine the first parameter based onsaid at least one parameter.

According to a further aspect, the object is achieved by a method in asecond radio network node for providing a first parameter to be used bya user equipment for measuring at least one measurement quantity on asecond cell. The first parameter relates to a first measurement period.The second radio network node operates the second cell on a secondcarrier. The second cell serves the user equipment. The second radionetwork node sends, to the user equipment, the first parameter and anindication indicative of the second carrier. The first parameter isdetermined based on a specific length of the first measurement period.

According to yet another aspect, the object is achieved by a secondradio network node for providing a first parameter to be used by a userequipment for measuring at least one measurement quantity on a secondcell. The first parameter relates to a first measurement period. Thesecond radio network node is configured to operate the second cell on asecond carrier. The second cell is configured to serve the userequipment. The second radio network node comprises a transmitterconfigured to send, to the user equipment, the first parameter and anindication indicative of the second carrier. The second parameter isdetermined based on a specific length of the second measurement period.

According to a still further aspect, the object is achieved by a methodin a third network node for enabling a second radio network node todetermine a first parameter to be used by a user equipment for measuringat least one measurement quantity on a second cell on a second carrieroperated by the second radio network node. The first parameter relatesto a first measurement period and the second cell serves the userequipment. The third network node sends at least one parameter relatingto the first measurement period to the second radio network node,thereby enabling the second radio network node determine the firstparameter based on said at least one parameter.

According to still another aspect, the object is achieved by a thirdnetwork node for enabling a second radio network node to determine afirst parameter to be used by a user equipment for measuring at leastone measurement quantity on a second cell on a second carrier operatedby the second radio network node. The first parameter relates to a firstmeasurement period, and the second cell is configured to serve the userequipment. The third network node comprises a transmitter configured tosend at least one parameter relating to the first measurement period tothe second radio network node, thereby enabling the second radio networknode determine the first parameter based on said at least one parameter.

According to a yet further aspect, the object is achieved by a method ina user equipment for measuring at least one measurement quantity on asecond cell on a second carrier operated by a second radio network node.The user equipment is served by at least the second cell. The userequipment receives, from the second radio network node, an indicationindicative of the second carrier and a first parameter to be used by theuser equipment for measuring said at least one measurement quantity. Thefirst parameter relates to at least a first measurement period.Moreover, the user equipment determines the first measurement periodbased on the first parameter. Next, the user equipment measures said atleast one measurement quantity on at least the second cell on the secondcarrier over the first measurement period.

According to another still further aspect, the object is achieved by auser equipment for measuring at least one measurement quantity on asecond cell on a second carrier operated by a second radio network node.The user equipment is configured to be served by at least the secondcell. The user equipment comprises a receiver configured to receive,from the second radio network node, an indication indicative of thesecond carrier and a first parameter to be used by the user equipmentfor measuring said at least one measurement quantity. The firstparameter relates to at least a first measurement period. Moreover, theuser equipment comprises a processing circuit configured to determinethe first measurement period based on the first parameter, wherein theprocessing circuit further is configured to measure said at least onemeasurement quantity on at least the second cell on the second carrierover the first measurement period.

Generally, embodiments herein provide a solution for exchange ofparameters relating to measurement periods, such as the firstmeasurement period. Since the second radio network node sends theindication indicative of the second carrier and the first parameter tothe user equipment, the user equipment can apply the first parameterwhen performing measurements on the second carrier being indicated bythe indication. In some examples, the first parameter may be adapted todeployment scenarios whereby the user equipment may obtain improvedmeasurement performance thanks to the adapted first parameter. Accordingto examples, in which the measurement quantity relates to measurement ofthe position of the user equipment, the user equipment may achieveimproved positioning performance thanks to the first parameter.

An advantage is that the network, in particular the second radio networknode or the third radio network node, is able to adequately determine anappropriate value of the parameter associated with the measurementperiod in different scenarios, such as deployment scenarios, networkconfigurations, radio conditions and more.

A further advantage is that the user equipment is able to meetmeasurement requirements during handover or the like.

Yet another advantage is that the user equipment needs not to readsystem information (SI) of the target cell, such as a cell to which theuser equipment is handed over, to obtain the parameter, or parameters,required for measurements. This results in a less complex userequipment.

According to exemplifying embodiments, a network node signals at leastone parameter related to the measurement period of at least onemeasurement quantity to other network nodes. The receiving node, basedon the received information, determines a common parameter associatedwith the measurement period to be used by the user equipment forperforming measurement on one or more cells and signals the determinedparameter to the user equipment.

According to one exemplifying embodiment, a method for exchangingmeasurement period related information in the first network node (e.g.,a neighboring eNB) comprises: signaling to the second network node (e.g.a serving eNode B) at least one parameter (Ψ) related to the measurementperiod to be used by the user equipment for performing at least onemeasurement.

According to another exemplifying embodiment, a method for exchangingmeasurement period related information in a third network node (e.g. acentralized node such as SON) comprises: signaling to the second networknode at least one parameter (Ψ) related to the measurement period to beused by the user equipment for performing at least one measurement.

According to another exemplifying embodiment, a method for exchangingmeasurement period related information in the second network nodecomprises: determining i) based on the received at least one parameter(Ψ) either from the first node or the third node and/or ii) based on theadditional factors (e.g. deployment scenarios), the common parameter (Ω)to be used by the user equipment for performing at least onemeasurement, signaling the determined parameter (Ω) to the userequipment at the time of handover, and/or signaling the determinedparameter (Ω) further to other network nodes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of embodiments disclosed herein, includingparticular features and advantages thereof, will be readily understoodfrom the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of an exemplifying radio network nodeand an exemplifying user equipment in which exemplifying methodsaccording embodiments herein may be implemented,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic overview of an exemplifying radio communicationsystem in which exemplifying methods according embodiments herein may beimplemented,

FIGS. 3(a) and (b) show exemplifying aggregated carriers,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic, combined signaling and flow chart ofexemplifying methods performed in the radio communication systemaccording to FIG. 2 ,

FIG. 5 shows example of an RSRP measurement period,

FIG. 6 shows an exemplifying radio communication system,

FIG. 7 shows another exemplifying radio communication system,

FIG. 8 shows a schematic flow chart of the methods of FIG. 4 when seenfrom the first radio network node,

FIG. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplifying first radionetwork node configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 8 ,

FIG. 10 shows a schematic flow chart of the methods of FIG. 4 when seenfrom the second radio network node,

FIG. 11 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplifying second radionetwork node configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 10 ,

FIG. 12 shows a schematic flow chart of the methods of FIG. 4 when seenfrom the third network node,

FIG. 13 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplifying third networknode configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 12 ,

FIG. 14 shows a schematic flow chart of the methods of FIG. 4 when seenfrom the user equipment,

FIG. 15 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplifying userequipment configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 14 ,

FIG. 16 shows an exemplifying base station, and

FIG. 17 shows an exemplifying LTE architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the exemplifying embodimentsrefers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers indifferent drawings identify the same or similar elements. Also, thefollowing detailed description does not limit the present disclosure.Instead, the scope of the embodiments is defined by the appended claims.The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard tothe terminology and structure of LTE systems. However, the embodimentsto be discussed next are not limited to LTE systems but may be appliedto other telecommunications systems.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included inat least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearanceof the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in variousplaces throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

To provide some context for the following exemplifying embodimentsrelated to uplink control signaling and reducing interference associatedtherewith, consider the exemplifying radio communication system as shownfrom two different perspectives in FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. Toincrease the transmission rate of the systems, and to provide additionaldiversity against fading on the radio channels, modern wirelesscommunication systems include transceivers that use multi-antennas,often referred to as a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system. Themulti-antennas may be distributed to the receiver side, to thetransmitter side and/or provided at both sides as shown in FIG. 1 .

More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a base station 120 having four antennas34 and a user equipment 140, or user terminal, having two antennas 34.The number of antennas shown in FIG. 1 is exemplifying and is notintended to limit the actual number of antennas used at the base station120 or at the user equipment 140 in the exemplifying embodiments to bediscussed below.

Additionally, the term “base station” is used herein as a generic term.As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in the LTEarchitecture an evolved NodeB (eNodeB) may correspond to the basestation, i.e., an eNodeB is a possible implementation of the basestation. However, the term “eNodeB” is also broader in some senses thanthe conventional base station since the eNodeB refers, in general, to alogical node. The term “base station” is used herein as inclusive of aNodeB, an eNodeB or other nodes specific for other architectures. AneNodeB in an LTE system handles transmission and reception in one orseveral cells, as shown for example in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2 shows an exemplifying radio communication system 100, such as anLTE system 100. The LTE system 100 of FIG. 2 shows the radiocommunication system of FIG. 1 in more detail.

A first and a second eNodeB 110, 120 are comprised in the LTE system100. The first and second eNodeBs 110, 120 are neighbors to each other.In some examples, the second eNodeB is configured to operate a firstcell, such as a PCell, on a first carrier. The second eNodeB 120 isconfigured to operate a second cell, such as an SCell, on a secondcarrier. In some examples, the first eNodeB 110 is configured to operatea third cell on the second carrier. PCell and SCell are known from 3GPPterminology. It shall here be noted that each of the antennas of thebase station 120 in FIG. 4 correspond to a respective cell. In thepresent scenario, the first and second cells correspond to a first and asecond antenna of the radio base station 120 in FIG. 4 .

A user equipment 140 is also shown in FIG. 2 . The user equipment 140uses dedicated channels 40 to communicate with the eNodeB(s) 110, 120,e.g., by transmitting or receiving Radio Link Control Protocol Data Unit(RLC PDU) segments as according to exemplifying embodiments describedbelow. The user equipment 140 is served by the second cell. In someembodiments, the user equipment 140 is also served by the first cellwhich is configured to enable exchange of control information betweenthe first cell and the user equipment 140. In some embodiments asexemplified above, the first cell may be a PCell and the second cell maybe an SCell. The user equipment 140 may be a mobile phone, a cellularphone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) equipped with radiocommunication capabilities, a smartphone, a laptop equipped with aninternal or external mobile broadband modem, a portable electronic radiocommunication device, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device or thelike.

Furthermore, the LTE system 100 comprises a third network node 130, suchas an E-SMLC, O&M or the like.

Having described some exemplifying LTE devices in which aspects ofexchange of measurement period related information according toexemplifying embodiments can be implemented, the discussion now returnsto consideration of measurements in the context of carrier aggregation.

In FIGS. 3(a) and (b), exemplifying block diagrams of aggregatedcarriers are shown. As shown in FIG. 3(a), an exemplifying aggregatedbandwidth, or aggregated carrier 301, of 90 MHz can be achieved by using4 (four) 20 MHz carriers and one 10 MHz, all of which are contiguous,i.e. neighboring to each other. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 3(b),an exemplifying aggregated bandwidth, or an aggregated carrier 302, of20 MHz can be achieved by using 4 (four) 5 MHz carriers, some of whichare contiguous while others are not. That is to say carriers that arenot contiguous are not neighboring to each other as seen in FIG. 3(b),i.e. some carriers between any of the four carriers making up theaggregated carrier 302 are not part of the aggregated carrier.

With reference to measurements in the context of carrier aggregation,the measurements are performed by the user equipment on the serving, aswell as on neighbor, cells over some known reference symbols or pilotsequences. Some measurements may also require the user equipment tomeasure the signals transmitted by the user equipment in the uplink. Ina multi-carrier or carrier aggregation scenario, the user equipment mayperform the measurements on the cells on the primary component carrier(PCC) as well as on the cells on one or more secondary componentcarriers (SCCs). The measurements are done for various purposes. Someexample measurement purposes are: mobility, positioning, self organizingnetwork (SON), minimization of drive tests (MDT), operation andmaintenance (O&M), network planning and optimization etc.

Such measurements are typically performed over a time duration on theorder of a few 100 ms to a few seconds. The same measurements areapplicable in single carrier and CA modes. However in carrieraggregation the measurement requirements may be different. For examplethe measurement period may be different in CA, e.g. it can be eitherrelaxed or more stringent depending upon whether the SCC is activated ornot. This may also depend upon the user equipment capability i.e.whether a CA capable user equipment is able to perform measurements onSCC with or without gaps. Some examples of mobility measurements in LTEsystems include: reference symbol received power (RSRP) and referencesymbol received quality (RSRQ). Examples of mobility measurements inHSPA are: common pilot channel received signal code power (CPICH RSCP)and CPICH Ec/No. The mobility measurement may also be used to identify acell in LTE, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Code Division MultipleAccess 2000 (CDMA2000), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM),etc. Examples of positioning measurements in LTE are: reference signaltime difference (RSTD) and UE reception-transmission (RX-TX) timedifference measurement. The UE RX-TX time difference measurementsrequires the user equipment to perform measurements on the downlinkreference signal as well as on the uplink signals.

Example of other measurements which may be used for MDT, SON or forother purposes are: control channel failure rate or quality estimatee.g. paging channel failure rate, broadcast Channel failure rate,physical layer problem detection e.g., out of synchronization (out ofsync) detection, in synchronization (in-sync) detection, and radio linkmonitoring. The exemplifying embodiments described herein are applicableto all of these measurement types, but are not limited to these.

In LTE release 10 the measurements on the SCC are performed by the CAcapable user equipment by using the following principles:

1) Non-configured SCC: The measurements are done using measurement gapson SCC which are not configured by the network.

2) Configured and Activated SCC: The measurements are done withoutmeasurement gaps on SCC which are configured and activated by thenetwork. This means measurement requirements corresponding to theintra-frequency (i.e. serving carrier) or which are similar to those forthe intra-frequency apply to the SCC which is configured and activated.

3) Configured and De-activated SCC: The measurements are done withoutmeasurement gaps on SCC which are configured and de-activated by thenetwork. However, to enable user equipment power saving the measurementrequirements for the configured and de-activated SCC are less stringentcompared to those specified for the intra-frequency (i.e. servingcarrier).

In case of 3) it has been proposed that the measurement period should beconfigurable in the range of 800 ms to 6400 ms for performing RSRP/RSRQmeasurements on an SCC which is configured and de-activated. Themeasurement period for the cell identification is much longer than thatof RSRP/RSRQ.

Therefore, as disclosed by embodiments herein, a parameter forindication of a duration of the measurement period can be different fordifferent measurements or common for more than one type of measurement.The parameter can be user equipment specific or common for all UEs in acell. The parameter can also be specific to each secondary orinter-frequency carrier or common for all carriers or for a group ofcarriers. The carrier aggregation can be used in different deploymentscenarios e.g. indoor, outdoor etc. Similarly, different types ofantenna configuration may be used for different component carriers.Furthermore, different component carriers may belong to differentfrequency bands, which may be associated with different coverage. Forexample, two component carriers, belonging to frequency bands 900 MHzand 2.6 GHz, respectively, may generate coverage areas, which have acoverage difference in the order of 7-8 dB. Therefore, in scenariosinvolving different deployment environments, system configurationsand/or frequency characteristics of component carriers, it is preferredthat the parameter is specific to each component carrier rather than theparameter is common for all or for a group of carriers.

Thus, according to embodiments where different parameters are used fordifferent cells, a further parameter is only used by the user equipmentfor performing measurements on the neighboring cells. This is incontrast to the parameter first mentioned, which is based only on theserving node, i.e. not on exchange of information over X2 in LTE, andwhich can be used for performing measurement only on the serving cell.This means the user equipment uses the serving node specific parameterfor performing serving cell measurements. In case of CA, the furtherparameter) can be used by the user equipment for performing measurementson the neighboring cells on the SCC. In case of CA, the parameter can beused by the user equipment for performing measurements on the servingcell on the SCC. The rationale is that neighboring cells may havedifferent deployment scenario or radio environment requiring differentparameter value compared to that used in the serving cell. Thusaccording to this arrangement two sets of parameters, i.e. serving cellspecific and neighbor cell specific, can be signaled to the userequipment. Furthermore, each of the serving cell specific parameter andthe neighbor cell specific parameter can still be common to all UEs in acell or specific to one user equipment or can be specific to eachsecondary/inter-frequency carrier or any combinations thereof.

Returning to embodiments where the same parameters are used fordifferent cells, i.e. parameter is a common parameter in the sense thatthe parameter is common to different cells. This may be beneficial whendeployment scenarios, system configurations and/or frequencycharacteristics of component carriers for different cells are similar orequal. Advantageously, only one parameter, i.e. the common parameter,needs to be signaled in the network in comparison to the scenariodescribed in the paragraph directly above.

FIG. 4 shows a combined signaling and flow chart of exemplifying methodsperformed by the first, second and third network nodes in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first radio network node 110 may perform a method for enabling thesecond radio network node 120 to determine a first parameter to be usedby the user equipment 140 for measuring at least one measurementquantity on the second cell. As an example, the measurement quantity maybe a position or a positioning measurement value used for determiningthe position. The second radio network node 120 may perform a method forproviding the first parameter to be used by the user equipment 140 formeasuring at least one measurement quantity on the second cell. Thethird network node 130 may perform a method for enabling the secondradio network node 120 to determine the first parameter to be used bythe user equipment 140 for measuring at least one measurement quantityon the second cell on the second carrier operated by the second radionetwork node 120. The user equipment 140 may perform a method formeasuring at least one measurement quantity on the second cell on thesecond carrier operated by the second radio network node 120. Moregenerally, the user equipment may perform a method for determining afirst parameter to be used by the user equipment for measuring said atleast one measurement quantity on the second cell. As mentioned, theuser equipment 140 is served by said at least one second cell. Again,the first parameter relates to a first measurement period. As anexample, the first parameter may be one of a set of parametersdesignated for use as indications of measurement periods. The set ofparameters may be predefined, such as given by a specification.

According to embodiments, in which the first radio network node 110operates the third cell on the second carrier, the first parameterfurther is to be used by the user equipment 140 for measuring said atleast one measurement quantity on the third cell. Thus, the firstparameter is common for at least the second cell and the third cell. Inthis embodiment, the first parameter may be common to all cells on whichthe user equipment is instructed to measure.

In some embodiments, said at least one parameter relating to the firstmeasurement period comprises one or more of:

-   -   The first parameter to be used by the user equipment 140,    -   One or more measurement period related parameters received from        one or more radio network nodes neighboring to the second radio        network node 120,    -   One or more factors relating to deployment.

In addition to the parameter values used, or assigned, in said one ormore radio network nodes, such as the first radio network node, otherfactors may also influence determination of the value of the parameter.The factors may be deployment related factors, e.g. said one or morefactors relating to deployment. Examples of such factors relating todeployment, or deployment scenarios, are:

-   -   user equipment power consumption, i.e. power consumption of the        user equipment    -   Type of measurement quantity    -   Type of service (e.g. whether measurement is for emergency call)        -   For measurements for the emergency calls, e.g. Observed Time            Difference Of Arrival (OTDOA), Reference Time Difference            (RSTD) in LTE the measurement period should be smaller to            ensure the emergency call is furnished quickly.    -   Cell size        -   If cell size is large then received signals may be weak and            the user equipment may need more time to measure cells.    -   Number of cells to measure.        -   Longer measurement period is desired if there are more cells            in order to reduce the user equipment processing.    -   Radio conditions and environment e.g. delay spread, user        equipment speed/Doppler etc.        -   Longer measurement period in case of longer delay spread            and/or larger speed.    -   Whether user equipment is in DRX or not or whether the DRX is        long (e.g. 1.28 second) or short (e.g. 40 ms) etc. For example        when DRX is used a longer measurement period can be achieved        with larger value of the parameter to enable user equipment        power consumption.

When said at least one parameter comprises, or is, the first parameter,the second radio network node 120 forwards the first parameter to theuser equipment 140. See action 201, 202 and 203.

As an example, said one or more measurement period related parametersare one or more of the parameters in the set of parameters designatedfor use as indications of measurement periods. Said one or more of theparameters in the set of parameters have been mentioned above inconjunction with first paragraph about FIG. 4 . Each of said one or moreparameters has been assigned for use when the user equipment measurestowards a respective radio network node of said one or more radionetwork nodes. As mentioned in conjunction with third paragraph aboutFIG. 4 second bullet, said one or more radio network nodes areneighboring to the second radio network node 120.

In some embodiments of the method, said at least one measurementquantity relates to positioning measurements used for determining aposition of the user equipment 140. As an example, said at least onemeasurement quantity is a position determined during a positioningsession. As another example, said at least one measurement quantity is ameasurement value used for determining a position during a positioningsession. In some examples, said at least one measurement quantity isRSRP, RSTD or RSRQ.

The following actions may be performed. Notably, in some embodiments ofthe method the order of the actions may differ from what is indicatedbelow.

Action 200

In some embodiments, the first radio network node 110 receives and thethird network node 130 sends said at least one parameter relating to thefirst measurement period. In this embodiment, the third network node maybe a node managing said at least one parameter for a plurality of radionetwork nodes, such as the first radio network node 110. In this manner,a set of parameters relating to the first measurement period may beapplied to said plurality of radio network nodes. Thus, the set ofparameters may be centrally determined by the third network node 130.

Action 201

The first radio network node 110 sends at least one parameter relatingto the first measurement period. In some embodiments, the second radionetwork node 120 receives said at least one parameter relating to thefirst measurement period from the first radio network node 110. In thismanner, the second radio network node 120 is able to determine the firstparameter based on said at least one parameter.

Action 202

In some embodiments, the third network node 130 sends and the secondradio network node 120 receives said at least one parameter. When thethird network node 130 sends said at least one parameter, said at leastone parameter may be distributed to one or more radio network nodes.Said one or more radio network nodes may be neighbors to the secondradio network node.

Action 203

The second radio network node 120 sends and the user equipment 140receives the first parameter and an indication indicative of the secondcarrier. The first parameter is determined based on a specific length ofthe first measurement period. As explained below a longer measurementperiod reduces power consumption of the user equipment. Thus, in somescenarios it may be desired to employ a long measurement period in orderto make the user equipment consume less power. Hence, the specificlength of the first measurement period should be set such that a longduration is obtained, e.g. a relatively high value of the duration. Inthis manner, it may for example be avoided that the user equipment runsout of battery. In addition, reduced power consumption of the userequipment may yield reduced interference to other devices, humans and/oranimals located nearby the user equipment.

According to embodiments, in which said at least one parameter comprisesone or more measurement period related parameters, the first parameteris determined as one of:

-   -   the maximum of said one or more measurement period related        parameters,    -   the minimum of said one or more measurement period related        parameters,    -   the arithmetic mean of said one or more measurement period        related parameters,    -   the geometric mean of said one or more measurement period        related parameters, and the like.

In general, according to an exemplifying embodiment, the determinedparameter for measurement quantity #1 (Ω1), such as said at least onemeasurement quantity, is a function of received information, such asparameters relating to the first measurement period:

Ω1=F(Ψ11,Ψ12, . . . ,Ψ1N)  (2)

where Ψ1N is the parameter related to measurement period of themeasurement quantity #1and is received from the first node #N. A more generalized expressioncan be:

Ω1=F(α11*Ψ11,α12*Ψ12, . . . ,α1N*Ψ1N)  (3)

In the following some examples of specific rules, or formulas, which canbe used for determining the parameter at the second node, are presented.Examples of such rules are:

-   -   Maximum measurement period: The parameter which is the maximum        of all the received values. This leads to longer measurement        period and is thus more suitable for user equipment power        saving.

Ω1=Max(Ψ11,Ψ12, . . . ,Ψ1N)  (4)

-   -   Minimum measurement period: The parameter which is the minimum        of all the received values. This leads to shorter measurement        period and thus leads to faster measurement but increases user        equipment power consumption and processing.

Ω1=Min(Ψ11,Ψ12, . . . ,Ψ1N)  (5)

-   -   Mean measurement period: The parameter which is the mean of all        the received values. This is a compromise between the user        equipment power consumption and the measurement performance. The        means can be arithmetic mean (Eq. 6), geometric mean or based on        the weighted average (Eq. 7).

Ω1=Mean(Ψ11,Ψ12, . . . ,Ψ1N)  (6)

Ω1=Mean(α11*Ψ11,α12*Ψ12, . . . ,α1N*Ψ1N)  (7)

Action 204

In some embodiments, the second radio network node 120 sends and theuser equipment 140 receives a second parameter to be used by the userequipment 140 for measuring said at least one measurement quantity onthe third cell. The second parameter relates to a second measurementperiod and the second parameter is determined based on the specificlength of the second measurement period.

Action 205

In some embodiments, the user equipment 140 determines the firstmeasurement period based on the first parameter. For example, the userequipment uses a table to map the first parameter to a value (in a timeunit, such as ms) of a measurement period. Possibly also a multiplyingfactor is applied depending on the measurement quantity. As an example,a first measurement quantity may be associated with a multiplying factorof two while a second measurement quantity may be associated with amultiplying factor of five. In this manner, both the first and secondmeasurement quantity are related to the value obtained by the userequipment by the use of for example the table mentioned above.

Action 206

In some embodiments, the user equipment 140 determines the secondmeasurement period based on the second parameter. For example, the userequipment uses a table to map the second parameter to a value of ameasurement period. As an example, the value of the measurement periodmay be expressed in a time unit such as ms. Possibly, also a multiplyingfactor is applied depending on the measurement quantity. The secondparameter may also be one of the parameters of the set of parametersavailable to the first parameter.

The following holds for the first and second parameter, but for reasonsof simplicity the description is written for the first parameter.

The first parameter is used by the user equipment in particular forderiving the first measurement period of a measurement which isperformed over any SCC or SCell but in particular over a SCC or SCellwhich is deactivated by the network. Again, it may be noted that the SCCor SCell are examples of the second cell. The first parameter can alsobe used by the user equipment for deriving the first measurement periodof a measurement quantity performed on any other cells of the carrierincluding the serving cell, reference cell etc. As an example the userequipment can derive, or determine, the measurement period based on thereceived first parameter by using the following expression:

T ₁=μ×Ω₁  (1)

where T₁, μ and Ω₁ are the measurement period, a constant or pre-definedvalue and the received parameter, respectively. The first parameter Ω₁is signaled by the serving node to the user equipment for performingmeasurement of measurement quantity #1. In one purely illustrativeexample μ and Ω₁ can be 5 and 200 ms, respectively, for RSRP and RSRQ.This results in T₁ being equal to 1000 ms. In another example μ and Ω₁can be 20 and 200 ms respectively for cell identification in LTE. Thisresults in T₁ being equal to 4 s.

Action 207

In some embodiments, the user equipment 140 measures said at least onemeasurement quantity on at least the second cell on the second carrierover the first measurement period.

In some embodiments, the measuring further comprises measuring said atleast one measurement quantity on the third cell on the second carrierover the first measurement period.

Action 208

In some embodiments, the user equipment 140 measures said at least onemeasurement quantity on the third cell on the second carrier over thesecond measurement period.

As mentioned above, the determined parameter, such as the first andsecond parameter, can be different for different measurements or commonfor more than one type of measurement. The parameter can be userequipment specific or common for all UEs in a cell. The parameter canalso be specific to each secondary or inter-frequency carrier or commonfor all carriers or for a group of carriers. The carrier aggregation canbe used in different deployment scenarios e.g. indoor, outdoor etc.Similarly, different types of antenna configuration may be used fordifferent component carriers. Furthermore, different component carriersmay belong to different frequency bands, which may be associated withdifferent coverage. For example, two component carriers, belonging tofrequency bands 900 MHz and 2.6 GHz, respectively, may generate coverageareas, which have a coverage difference in the order of 7-8 dB.Therefore, in scenarios involving different deployment environments,system configurations and/or frequency characteristics of componentcarriers, it is preferred that the parameter is specific to eachcomponent carrier rather than the parameter is common for all or for agroup of carriers.

Thus, also as mentioned above, according to embodiments where differentparameters are used for different cells, the second parameter,previously referred to as the further parameter, is only used by theuser equipment for performing measurements on the neighboring cells.This is in contrast to the first parameter, which is based only on theserving node, i.e. not on exchange of information over X2 in LTE, andwhich can be used for performing measurement only on the serving cell.This means the user equipment uses the serving node specific parameterfor performing serving cell measurements. In case of CA, the commonparameter (i.e. second parameter or the further parameter) can be usedby the user equipment for performing measurements on the neighboringcells on the SCC. In case of CA, the first parameter can be used by theuser equipment for performing measurements on the serving cell on theSCC. The rationale is that neighboring cells may have differentdeployment scenario or radio environment requiring different parametervalue compared to that used in the serving cell. Thus according to thisarrangement two sets of parameters (serving cell specific and neighborcell specific) can be signaled to the user equipment. Furthermore eachof serving cell specific parameter or neighbor cell specific parametercan still be common to all UEs in a cell or specific to one userequipment or can be specific to each secondary/inter-frequency carrieror any combinations thereof.

Action 209

In some embodiments, the second radio network node 120 sends and thethird network node 130 receives the first parameter. Thereby, the thirdnetwork node 130 may distribute the first parameter to further radionetwork nodes, such as the first and second radio network nodes 110,120.

An example of an RSRP measurement period is shown in FIG. 5 . Themeasurement period is also interchangeably called an L1 measurementperiod, physical layer period or interval, L1 measurement interval, L1or physical layer duration etc. The user equipment is required to meetthe performance requirements of the user equipment measurement quantityover this period. Examples of measurement periods are: in LTE the userequipment has to meet accuracy of Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access(EUTRA) intra-frequency RSRP measurement over the measurement period=200ms without Discontinuous Reception (DRX), the user equipment has toidentify an E-UTRA intra-frequency cell in a duration or measurementperiod of 800 ms, another example is that of the duration to acquire thesystem information (i.e. reading of MIB and one or more SIB) of thecell, and yet another example is that of the duration (e.g. 150 ms inLTE) to acquire the cell global ID (CGI) or evolved CGI of the cell.

To ensure measurement accuracy of the measurement quantity, the userequipment needs to collect a number of measurement samples at regularinterval over a measurement period. For instance in a measurement periodof 200 ms it will most likely obtain 3 or 4 samples for measuring RSRPor RSRQ in LTE. The overall measurement quantity result would compriseof the average of all these samples i.e. average of 3-4 samples over 200ms period. Furthermore each measurement sample typically comprises oftwo types of averages:

-   -   Coherent averaging    -   Non-coherent averaging Coherent averaging is performed over a        duration in which the radio channel characteristics remain        unchanged or variation is quite trivial. Optimal coherent        averaging would depend upon a particular channel as it depends        upon the coherence bandwidth of the channel. Typically the        coherent averaging is performed over 2-4 consecutive downlink        slots (e.g. 1-2 ms) depending upon the channel type. For        implementation the user equipment may use the same number of        consecutive slots (e.g. 3 slots) irrespective of channel        behavior.

The non-coherent averaging is performed using samples which areuncorrelated from the perspective of radio channel characteristics. Infact the basic non-coherent sample would comprise 2 or more coherentlyaveraged samples. The overall measurement quantity results comprises ofnon-coherent averaging of 2 or more basic non-coherent averaged samples.If the measurement period is longer e.g. 800 ms, then the user equipmentmay still use the same number of samples as used in a period of 200 msbut in the former case they will be sparser in time. This enables theuser equipment to save its battery as it has to wake up less frequently.

In E-UTRAN systems, during handover, which takes place in active mode,all necessary system information related to the target cell is providedto the user equipment in the handover command. This shortens thehandover interruption. The user equipment can reconfigure lower layersbased on target cell configurations without reading the systeminformation of the target cell. In prior art system until release 9, themeasurement period used by the user equipment for performing mobility orany other measurements is pre-defined in the standard. In other words noparameter related to the measurement period of a measurement quantity issignaled to the user equipment.

In carrier aggregation systems in LTE Rel-10, it has been proposed thatthe serving cell (i.e. PCell) signals the measurement period relatedparameter to the user equipment via higher layer signaling. The userequipment uses this for deriving the measurement period for performingmobility measurements on the deactivated secondary component carriers(or SCells). The measurements include SCells' identification, RSRP andRSRQ. However different network nodes (e.g. base station, eNode B, relaynode etc) due to different deployment scenarios may require differentmeasurement periods. It is not, however, specified how an appropriatevalue of the parameter is derived. It is also not known how theparameter is derived and provided to the user equipment in case ofpositioning measurements. The positioning measurements are configured bythe positioning node, e.g. an Evolved-Serving Mobile Location Center(E-SMLC) in LTE.

According to exemplifying embodiments, each network node signals atleast one parameter related to the measurement period of at least onemeasurement quantity to other network nodes. The receiving node based onthe received information determines the common parameter associated withthe measurement period to be used by the user equipment for performingmeasurement on one or more cells. The receiving node signals thedetermined parameter to the user equipment.

According to one exemplifying embodiment, a method for exchangingmeasurement period related information in the first network node (e.g.,a neighboring eNB) comprises: signaling to the second network node (e.g.a serving eNode B) at least one parameter (Ψ) related to the measurementperiod to be used by the user equipment for performing at least onemeasurement.

According to another exemplifying embodiment, a method for exchangingmeasurement period related information in a third network node (e.g. acentralized node such as SON) comprises: signaling to the second networknode at least one parameter (Ψ) related to the measurement period to beused by the user equipment for performing at least one measurement.

According to another exemplifying embodiment, a method for exchangingmeasurement period related information in the second network nodecomprises: determining i) based on the received at least one parameter(Ψ) either from the first node or the third node and/or ii) based on theadditional factors (e.g. deployment scenarios), the common parameter (Ω)to be used by the user equipment for performing at least onemeasurement, signaling the determined parameter (Ω) to the userequipment at the time of handover, and/or signaling the determinedparameter (Ω) further to other network nodes.

Exemplifying embodiments thus enable the serving network node toconfigure the most suitable parameter associated with the measurementperiod of the measurement quantity or which can be used by the userequipment for deriving the measurement period of the measurementquantity. Examples of measurements are given above and may include, forexample, radio measurements (e.g. CPICH RSCP, RSRP, RSTD, RSRQ etc),timing related measurements (e.g. user equipment round trip time (RTT),user equipment Rx-Tx time difference etc), cell identification toidentify PCI or CGI, acquisition of system information etc.

According to one exemplifying embodiment, the serving network node (e.g.eNB in LTE) can signal two values of a parameter or 2 separateparameters (i.e., a first parameter and a second parameter) to the userequipment for deriving the measurement period of a measurement quantity.The first parameter can be used for performing measurement on servingcell (or on serving cell operating on SCC in CA) and the secondparameter can be used for performing measurement on the neighboringcells (or neighbor cells operating on SCC in CA). The two distinct setsof parameters or 2 values are particularly useful in case the servingnode and neighboring nodes are used in different deployment scenarios(e.g. radio conditions, cell size, user equipment speed etc). This meansthe value of the second parameter which is common for all neighbor nodescan be different compared to that of the first parameter. As a specialcase they can be the same e.g. when deployment scenario of all or mostnodes is homogeneous.

In a distributed method according to one exemplifying embodiment, afirst node signals the parameters used in the first node to a secondnode. In this embodiment, the first node is generally a neighboringnode, and the second node is the serving node, which requests the userequipment to perform the measurements and hence signals the parameterassociated with the measurement period of the measurement. Examples ofthe first node are eNode B, Node B, donor base station (donor BS), DonoreNode B. Examples of the second node are serving eNode B, base station,relay node, positioning node (e.g. E-SMLC), Radio Network Controller(RNC), Base Station Controller (BSC), etc.

In this method each serving node (e.g. eNode B or base station) receivesthe necessary information or parameter associated with the measurementperiod of at least one measurement quantity (e.g. RSRP) from one or morefirst nodes (e.g. target eNode B). The parameter can be specific to eachmeasurement quantity or can be common for more than one measurementquantities (e.g. same for the measurement periods of RSRP, RSRQ and cellidentification). Furthermore the parameter can be specific to eachcarrier on which the measurement is to be performed by the userequipment or can be common for more than one carrier or more than on CCsin CA system. The parameter can thus be termed as the measurement periodparameter value or L1 period parameter value etc. In LTE each eNode Bwould receive the information or the value of the parameters from all orsub-set of eNode Bs in a particular coverage area. In this case theparameter can be signaled over an eNode B-eNode B interface (i.e. X2interface) as shown in FIG. 6 .

For positioning measurements in LTE, the second node is the positioningnode (i.e. E-SMLC) which receives the parameter associated with themeasurement period of the positioning measurement (e.g. RSTD) from theneighboring eNode Bs. In this case the parameter is signaled using LTEPositioning Protocol Annex (LPPa) protocol over S1 and SLs interfacesbetween eNB and E-SMLC. The parameter may also be signaled to thepositioning node via core network, e.g. via Mobility Management Entity(MME) to the E-SMLC in LTE. The core network may first acquire theparameter either from radio network nodes (e.g. from eNB over S1interface) or from any other centralized network node. The first nodecan either signal the above mentioned parameter to the second nodeproactively or upon the receiving requests from the second or any othernode e.g. third node. Furthermore, the parameter can be provided to thesecond node either any time or at specific occasions like when the firstnode and/or second node is initially setup or reconfigured or upgradedor modified or when new features are added or removed.

The second node, upon receiving parameters associated with themeasurement periods of one or more measurement from other nodes (i.e.first nodes), determines the parameter, which it signals to the userequipment. The received parameter values can be considered as therecommended values from the other nodes. The determined parameter by thesecond node can be common for performing measurement on more than onecell including serving cell and neighboring cell.

According to another embodiment, the parameter can be different fordifferent cells. In this case the parameter is to be associated with thecell identifier. This means serving node B receives the parameter valuesused in neighboring nodes (Ns) and signals the received values of theparameters to the user equipment for performing the measurements on someof these neighboring nodes (Nc⊂Ns). This method indicates that theserving node signals the neighbor cell list which would increasesignaling overheads. But this solution is most optimal in case cells ina heterogeneous deployment scenario.

According to another embodiment, the serving node uses the acquiredmeasurement period parameter values from the neighboring nodes, anddeployment related factors to determine the value of the parameter to beused for signaling to the user equipment. Ω₁=F (Ψ₁₁, Ψ₁₂, . . . ,Ψ_(1N), μ₁₁, . . . , μ_(1M)) (8) where μ_(1M) is the M^(h) factorinfluencing the parameter related to measurement period of themeasurement quantity #1. For example the network node (second node) canuse the mean value (rule based on Eq. 7) to derive the initial value ofthe parameter. But in addition, if the user equipment is in DRX, then itmay slightly increase the value of the parameter by an offset. On theother hand if there is an emergency call then the value of the parametercan be shortened compared to that of the mean value.

According to another exemplifying embodiment, in a centralized methodthe third node signals the recommended value of the parameter for one ormore measurement quantities to the second node. Examples of third nodesare: donor base station or donor Node B or donor eNode B serving relays,SON node, Operation and Maintenance (O&M) node, Operations Sub-System(OSS) node, operation and maintenance node, core network node (e.g. MMEin LTE) etc. Examples of second nodes as quoted earlier are: BS, RNC,BSC, eNode B, positioning node (e.g. E-SMLC in LTE), relay node etc. Asearlier the second node is the serving node which requests the userequipment to perform measurements and thus sends the value of themeasurement period parameter for doing these measurements. The receivingnodes (second nodes) follow the recommended measurement period parametervalues acquired from the third node. Hence the third node is consideredto be the centralized node. In another variant the second node mayfurther modify the recommended value of the parameter before signalingthis to the user equipment or to other nodes. This could be regarded aspartially centralized or semi-distributed.

The third node uses any of the principles described above to determinethe recommended value of the measurement period parameter. For exampleit can acquire information from the second node or from other nodes(e.g. core network) to find the most suitable values of the parametersto be used in different set of second modes. The third node may signalthe parameters to the second node proactively or upon the receivingrequests from the second or receiving request from another third node(e.g. by core network). Furthermore the parameter can be provided to thesecond node either any time or at specific occasions like when thesecond node is setup or reconfigured or upgraded or modified. An exampleof a third node (centralized node) 700, 130 configuring the second node(eNode B) in over third node eNode B interface in LTE is illustrated inFIG. 7 . Therein, the O&M/dedicated node 700 gets information related toall base stations/eNode B and the measurement period or associatedparameter is configured by O&M/dedicated node 700 at all eNode Bs 32.

The second node (i.e. the serving node) may determine the value of theparameter for a particular measurement quantity by any of the mechanismsdescribed in the preceding sections. The second node uses the determinedparameter in the following ways. For example, the second node may alsosignal the determined parameter associated with the measurement periodof the measurement quantity to other nodes e.g. to the first node (e.g.neighboring eNode Bs) or even to the third node (e.g. O&M, OSS, SON etc)if the parameter is modified. The receiving first or third node can usethem for various purposes. For example the first node can use this tocompare with and determine its own parameter value for differentmeasurements. The third node (e.g. SON, OSS etc) may use the receivedparameter for network optimization and planning.

According to an exemplifying embodiment, firstly the second node (e.g.serving eNode B, RNC, positioning node, relay node etc) signals thedetermined parameter to the user equipment. The determination of theparameter is based on the principles described in the precedingsections. The serving eNode B or RNC may signal it to the user equipmentvia RRC protocol. The positioning node in LTE (i.e. E-SMLC) may signalit to the user equipment via LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP), oftenreferred to as LPP protocol. Furthermore, the serving node may signalmore than one value of the parameter or more than one parameter. Thefirst one is used for measurements on the serving cell and the secondone is used for measurements on the one or more neighboring cells. Thetwo sets of parameters are also required to be signaled to the userequipment at the time of handover.

Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the determined parameteris signaled to the user equipment also at the time of handover. Forexample the determined parameter used in the target node may be signaledto the user equipment transparently to the source node. This is the sameas the system information of the target cell is provided to the userequipment via the source cell during handover. Otherwise the target nodehas to signal the determined value after HO when the user equipment isconnected to the target node. During the period before receiving anyvalue from the target node the user equipment either has no value forthe measurement period or will try to use the value received in thesource node. This may not be desirable at different deployment scenariosof multi-carrier configurations. It should be noted that different cellsmay use different value of the measurement period parameter. The delayin acquiring the new parameter may have, for example, two consequences,i.e., the user equipment may use an old parameter value for performingthe measurements on the neighboring cells after or during the handoverprocedure. This may lead to inconsistent measurement reports. Anotherconsequence is that the user equipment may not perform any newmeasurements until the new parameter value is acquired from the newcell. The acquisition of the new parameter value may take sometime. Thismay adversely affect the mobility performance or performance of othertime stringent services like emergency calls. For example the userequipment may drop the call especially if the cells are small and/orradio environment is more difficult or challenging (e.g. higher speed).

The exemplifying embodiments described above have been discussed with afocus on LTE, however it will be appreciated that the embodiments hereinalso are applicable to any system where the measurement period of atleast one measurement quality is configurable by the network i.e.associated parameter or the measurement period itself or the relatedinformation is signaled to the user equipment by the network.Exemplifying embodiments thus apply to UEs which are CA capable i.e.intra-RAT/single RAT CA or even multi-RAT/inter-RAT CA capable. But ingeneral the embodiments herein can also be applied to any type of userequipment which is non-CA capable, CA capable and capable of measuringon any carrier with and without gaps provided the measurement period isconfigurable. In UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) this typeof information (i.e. related to measurement period) can be exchangedover interfaces such as lub (between Node B and RNC), lur (between RNCs)etc. In GSM this can be exchanged between BSC and BTS. It should also benoted that the present disclosure is not restricted to the particularterminology used here. Various terms have been used to describe forexample Component Carriers or CCs in short. The present disclosure istherefore applicable to situations where terms like multi-cell ordual-cell operation is described. Furthermore PCC and SCC are alsointerchangeably called as the Primary Serving Cell (PCell) and SecondaryServing Cell (SCell) or alike. The person skilled in the art shouldeasily understand these terminologies.

The exemplifying embodiments described herein provide numerous benefitsand advantages including, but not limited to, the following. They enablethe network to adequately determine an appropriate value of theparameter associated with the measurement period in different scenarios:deployment, network configurations, radio conditions etc. They willensure that the user equipment is able to meet the measurementrequirements when performing handover. Additionally, the user equipmentdoes not have to read system information of the target cell to acquirethe required parameter for doing measurements. This leads to lesscomplexity in the user equipment.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplifying flowchart of the methods of FIG. 4 whenseen from the first radio network node 110.

The following actions may be performed. Notably, in some embodiments ofthe method the order of the actions may differ from what is indicatedbelow.

Action 800

This action corresponds to action 200.

In some embodiments, the first radio network node 110 receives and thethird network node 130 sends said at least one parameter relating to thefirst measurement period. In this embodiment, the third network node maybe a node managing said at least one parameter for a plurality of radionetwork nodes, such as the first radio network node 110. In this manner,a set of parameters relating to the first measurement period may beapplied to said plurality of radio network nodes. Thus, the set ofparameters may be centrally determined by the third network node 130.

Action 801

This action corresponds to action 201.

The first radio network node 110 sends at least one parameter relatingto the first measurement period. In some embodiments, the second radionetwork node 120 receives said at least one parameter relating to thefirst measurement period from the first radio network node 110. In thismanner, the second radio network node 120 is able to determine the firstparameter based on said at least one parameter.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplifying first radionetwork node configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 8 .Moreover, the first radio network node 110 is configured to perform theactions performed by the first radio network node 110 as shown in FIG. 4. The first radio network node 110 may be configured to enable thesecond radio network node 120 to determine the first parameter to beused by the user equipment 140 for measuring at least one measurementquantity on the second cell which serves the user equipment 140. Asabove, the first parameter relates to the first measurement period. Alsoas mentioned, the first radio network node 110 is configured to operatethe second cell on the second carrier.

In some embodiments of the first radio network node 110, the first radionetwork node is configured to operate the third cell on the secondcarrier and the first parameter is to be used by the user equipment 140for measuring at least one measurement quantity on the third cell.

In some embodiments of the first radio network node 110, said at leastone parameter relating to the first measurement period comprises one ormore of:

-   -   The first parameter to be used by the user equipment 140,    -   One or more measurement period related parameters received from        one or more radio network node neighboring to the second radio        network node 120, and    -   One or more factors relating to deployment.

In some embodiments of the first radio network node 110, said at leastone measurement quantity relates to positioning measurement used fordetermining a position of the user equipment 140. In some examples, saidat least one measurement quantity is RSRP, RSTD or RSRQ.

The first radio network node 110 comprises a transmitter 910 configuredto send at least one parameter relating to the first measurement periodto the second radio network node 120, whereby the second radio networknode 120 is able to determine the first parameter based on said at leastone parameter.

In some embodiments of the first radio network node 110, the first radionetwork node 110 further comprises a receiver 920 configured to receivesaid at least one parameter relating to the first measurement periodfrom the third network node 130.

In some embodiments of the first radio network node 110, the first radionetwork node 110 further comprises a processing circuit 930.

In some embodiments of the first radio network node 110, the first radionetwork node 110 further comprises a memory 940 for storing software tobe executed by, for example, the processing circuit. The software maycomprise instructions to enable the processing circuit to perform themethods in the first radio network node 110 as described above inconjunction with FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 shows an exemplifying flowchart of the methods of FIG. 4 whenseen from the second radio network node 120.

The following actions may be performed. Notably, in some embodiments ofthe method the order of the actions may differ from what is indicatedbelow.

Action 1001

This action corresponds to action 201.

The first radio network node 110 sends at least one parameter relatingto the first measurement period. In some embodiments, the second radionetwork node 120 receives said at least one parameter relating to thefirst measurement period from the first radio network node 110. In thismanner, the second radio network node 120 is able to determine the firstparameter based on said at least one parameter.

Action 1002

This action corresponds to action 202.

In some embodiments, the third network node 130 sends and the secondradio network node 120 receives said at least one parameter. When thethird network node 130 sends said at least one parameter, said at leastone parameter may be distributed to one or more radio network nodes.Said one or more radio network nodes may be neighbors to the secondradio network node.

Action 1003

This action corresponds to action 203.

The second radio network node 120 sends and the user equipment 140receives the first parameter and an indication indicative of the secondcarrier. The first parameter is determined based on a specific length ofthe first measurement period. As an example, the specific length of thefirst measurement period may be a desired length of the firstmeasurement period. As explained in below a longer measurement periodreduces power consumption of the user equipment. Thus, in some scenariosit may be desired to employ a long measurement period in order to makethe user equipment consume less power. In this manner, it may forexample be avoided that the user equipment runs out of battery. Inaddition, reduced power consumption of the user equipment may yieldreduced interference to other devices, humans and/or animals locatednearby the user equipment.

According to embodiments, in which said at least one parameter comprisesone or more measurement period related parameters, the first parameteris determined as one of:

-   -   the maximum of said one or more measurement period related        parameters,    -   the minimum of said one or more measurement period related        parameters,    -   the arithmetic mean of said one or more measurement period        related parameters,    -   the geometric mean of said one or more measurement period        related parameters, and the like.

Action 1004

This action corresponds to action 204.

In some embodiments, the second radio network node 120 sends and theuser equipment 140 receives a second parameter to be used by the userequipment 140 for measuring said at least one measurement quantity onthe third cell. The second parameter relates to a second measurementperiod and the second parameter is determined based on the specificlength of the second measurement period.

Action 1005

This action corresponds to action 209.

In some embodiments, the second radio network node 120 sends and thethird network node 130 receives the first parameter. Thereby, the thirdnetwork node 130 may distribute the first parameter to further radionetwork nodes, such as the first and second radio network nodes 110,120.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplifying second radionetwork node 120 configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG.10 . Moreover, the second radio network node 120 is configured toperform the actions performed by the second radio network node 120 asshown in FIG. 4 . The second radio network node 120 may be configured toprovide the first parameter to be used by the user equipment 140 formeasuring at least one measurement quantity on the second cell. Asmentioned above, the first parameter relates to the first measurementperiod. As previously mentioned, the second radio network node 120 isconfigured to operate the second cell on the second carrier. Again, thesecond cell is configured to serve the user equipment 140.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, the secondradio network node 120 further is configured to operate the first cellon the first carrier. The first cell is configured to serve the userequipment 140 and to provide control information to the user equipment140.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, the firstparameter further is to be used by the user equipment 140 for measuringsaid at least one measurement quantity on the third cell.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, the firstradio network node 110 is configured to operate the third cell on thesecond carrier.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, said at leastone parameter comprises one or more of:

-   -   The first parameter to be used by the user equipment 140,    -   one or more measurement period related parameters received from        one or more radio network nodes neighboring to the second radio        network node 120, and    -   One or more factors relating to deployment.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, said at leastone measurement quantity relates to positioning measurement used fordetermining a position of the user equipment 140. In some examples, saidat least one measurement quantity is RSRP, RSTD or RSRQ.

The second radio network node 120 comprises a transmitter 1110configured to send, to the user equipment 140, the first parameter andthe indication indicative of the second carrier, the second parameter isdetermined based on the specific length of the first measurement period.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, thetransmitter 1110 further is configured to send, to the user equipment140, the second parameter to be used by the user equipment 140 formeasuring said at least one measurement quantity on the third cell, thesecond parameter relates to the second measurement period, and whereinthe second parameter is determined based on said at least one parameterrelating to measurement periods.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, thetransmitter 1110 further is configured to send the first parameter andthe indication and/or the second parameter on the first carrier.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, thetransmitter 1110 further is configured to send the first parameter tothe third network node 130.

According to some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, inwhich said at least one parameter comprises one or more measurementperiod related parameters, the second radio network node 120 furthercomprises a processing circuit 1120 configured to determine the firstparameter as one of:

-   -   the maximum of said one or more measurement period related        parameters,    -   the minimum of said one or more measurement period related        parameters,    -   the arithmetic mean of said one or more measurement period        related parameters,    -   the geometric mean of said one or more measurement period        related parameters, and the like.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, the secondradio network node 120 further comprises a receiver 1130 configured toreceive said at least one parameter from the first radio network node110 and/or the third network node 130.

In some embodiments of the second radio network node 120, the secondradio network node 120 further comprises a memory 1140 for storingsoftware to be executed by, for example, the processing circuit. Thesoftware may comprise instructions to enable the processing circuit toperform the methods in the second radio network node 120 as describedabove in conjunction with FIG. 4 and FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 shows an exemplifying flowchart of the methods of FIG. 4 whenseen from the third network node 130.

The following actions may be performed. Notably, in some embodiments ofthe method the order of the actions may differ from what is indicatedbelow.

Action 1200

This action corresponds to action 200.

In some embodiments, the first radio network node 110 receives and thethird network node 130 sends said at least one parameter relating to thefirst measurement period. In this embodiment, the third network node maybe a node managing said at least one parameter for a plurality of radionetwork nodes, such as the first radio network node 110. In this manner,a set of parameters relating to the first measurement period may beapplied to said plurality of radio network nodes. Thus, the set ofparameters may be centrally determined by the third network node 130.

Action 1201

This action corresponds to action 202.

In some embodiments, the third network node 130 sends and the secondradio network node 120 receives said at least one parameter. When thethird network node 130 sends said at least one parameter, said at leastone parameter may be distributed to one or more radio network nodes.Said one or more radio network nodes may be neighbors to the secondradio network node.

Action 1202

This action corresponds to action 209.

In some embodiments, the second radio network node 120 sends and thethird network node 130 receives the first parameter. Thereby, the thirdnetwork node 130 may distribute the first parameter to further radionetwork nodes, such as the first and second radio network nodes 110,120.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplifying third networknode configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 12 .Moreover, the third radio network node 130 is configured to perform theactions performed by the third radio network node 130 as shown in FIG. 4. The third network node 130 may be configured to enable the secondradio network node 120 to determine the first parameter to be used bythe user equipment 140 for measuring at least one measurement quantityon the second cell on the second carrier operated by the second radionetwork node 120. As mentioned, the first parameter relates to the firstmeasurement period. Also as mentioned, the second cell is configured toserve the user equipment 140.

The third network node 130 comprises a transmitter 1310 configured tosend at least one parameter relating to the first measurement period tothe second radio network node 120, thereby enabling the second radionetwork node 120 determine the first parameter based on said at leastone parameter.

In some embodiments of the third network node 130, the third radionetwork node 130 further comprises a receiver 1320 configured to receivethe first parameter from the second radio network node 120.

In some embodiments of the third radio network node 130, the third radionetwork node 130 further comprises a processing circuit 1330.

In some embodiments of the third radio network node 130, the third radionetwork node 130 further comprises a memory 1340 for storing software tobe executed by, for example, the processing circuit. The software maycomprise instructions to enable the processing circuit to perform themethods in the third radio network node 130 as described above inconjunction with FIG. 4 and FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 shows an exemplifying flowchart of the methods of FIG. 4 whenseen from the user equipment 140.

The following actions may be performed. Notably, in some embodiments ofthe method the order of the actions may differ from what is indicatedbelow.

Action 1401

This action corresponds to action 203.

The second radio network node 120 sends and the user equipment 140receives the first parameter and an indication indicative of the secondcarrier. The first parameter is determined based on a specific length ofthe first measurement period. As an example, the specific length of thefirst measurement period may be a desired length of the firstmeasurement period. As explained in below a longer measurement periodreduces power consumption of the user equipment. Thus, in some scenariosit may be desired to employ a long measurement period in order to makethe user equipment consume less power. In this manner, it may forexample be avoided that the user equipment runs out of battery. Inaddition, reduced power consumption of the user equipment may yieldreduced interference to other devices, humans and/or animals locatednearby the user equipment.

According to embodiments, in which said at least one parameter comprisesone or more measurement period related parameters, the first parameteris determined as one of:

-   -   the maximum of said one or more measurement period related        parameters,    -   the minimum of said one or more measurement period related        parameters,    -   the arithmetic mean of said one or more measurement period        related parameters,    -   the geometric mean of said one or more measurement period        related parameters, and the like.

Action 1402

This action corresponds to action 204.

In some embodiments, the second radio network node 120 sends and theuser equipment 140 receives a second parameter to be used by the userequipment 140 for measuring said at least one measurement quantity onthe third cell. The second parameter relates to a second measurementperiod and the second parameter is determined based on the specificlength of the second measurement period.

Action 1403

This action corresponds to action 205.

In some embodiments, the user equipment 140 determines the firstmeasurement period based on the first parameter. For example, the userequipment uses a table to map the first parameter to a value (in a timeunit, such as ms) of a measurement period. Possibly also a multiplyingfactor is applied depending on the measurement quantity. As an example,a first measurement quantity may be associated with a multiplying factorof two while a second measurement quantity may be associated with amultiplying factor of five. In this manner, both the first and secondmeasurement quantity are related to the value obtained by the userequipment by the use of for example the table mentioned above.

Action 1404

This action corresponds to action 206.

In some embodiments, the user equipment 140 determines the secondmeasurement period based on the second parameter. For example, the userequipment uses a table to map the second parameter to a value of ameasurement period. As an example, the value of the measurement periodmay be expressed in a time unit such as ms. Possibly also a multiplyingfactor is applied depending on the measurement quantity. The secondparameter may also be one of the parameters of the set of parametersavailable to the first parameter.

Action 1405

This action corresponds to action 207.

In some embodiments, the user equipment 140 measures said at least onemeasurement quantity on at least the second cell on the second carrierover the first measurement period.

In some embodiments, the measuring further comprises measuring said atleast one measurement quantity on the third cell on the second carrierover the first measurement period.

Action 1406

This action corresponds to action 208.

In some embodiments, the user equipment 140 measures said at least onemeasurement quantity on the third cell on the second carrier over thesecond measurement period.

The determined parameter, such as the first and second parameter, can bedifferent for different measurements or common for more than one type ofmeasurement. The parameter can be user equipment specific or common forall UEs in a cell. The parameter can also be specific to each secondaryor inter-frequency carrier or common for all carriers or for a group ofcarriers. The carrier aggregation can be used in different deploymentscenarios e.g. indoor, outdoor etc. Similarly, different types ofantenna configuration may be used for different component carriers.Furthermore, different component carriers may belong to differentfrequency bands, which may be associated with different coverage. Forexample, two component carriers, belonging to frequency bands 900 MHzand 2.6 GHz, respectively, may generate coverage areas, which have acoverage difference in the order of 7-8 dB. Therefore, in scenariosinvolving different deployment environments, system configurationsand/or frequency characteristics of component carriers, it is preferredthat the parameter is specific to each component carrier rather than theparameter is common for all or for a group of carriers.

Thus, according to embodiments where different parameters are used fordifferent cells, the second parameter is only used by the user equipmentfor performing measurements on the neighboring cells. This is incontrast to the first parameter, which is based only on the servingnode, i.e. not on exchange of information over X2 in LTE, and which canbe used for performing measurement only on the serving cell. This meansthe user equipment uses the serving node specific parameter forperforming serving cell measurements. In case of CA, the commonparameter (i.e. second parameter) can be used by the user equipment forperforming measurements on the neighboring cells on the SCC. In case ofCA, the first parameter can be used by the user equipment for performingmeasurements on the serving cell on the SCC. The rationale is thatneighboring cells may have different deployment scenario or radioenvironment requiring different parameter value compared to that used inthe serving cell. Thus according to this arrangement two sets ofparameters (serving cell specific and neighbor cell specific) can besignaled to the user equipment. Furthermore each of serving cellspecific parameter or neighbor cell specific parameter can still becommon to all UEs in a cell or specific to one user equipment or can bespecific to each secondary/inter-frequency carrier or any combinationsthereof.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplifying userequipment configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 14 .Moreover, the user equipment 140 is configured to perform the actionsperformed by the user equipment 140 as shown in FIG. 4 . The userequipment 140 may be configured to measure at least one measurementquantity on the second cell on the second carrier operated by the secondradio network node 120. As mentioned, the user equipment 140 isconfigured to be served by at least the second cell.

In some embodiments of the user equipment 140, the first radio networknode 110 is configured to operate the third cell on the second carrier.

In some embodiments of the user equipment 140, the second radio networknode 120 further is configured to operate the first cell on the firstcarrier. As mentioned, the user equipment 140 is configured to be servedby the first cell which is configured to provide control information tothe user equipment 140.

The user equipment 140 comprises a receiver 1510 configured to receive,from the second radio network node 120, the indication indicative of thesecond carrier and the first parameter to be used by the user equipmentfor measuring said at least one measurement quantity. The firstparameter relates to at least the first measurement period.

In some embodiments of the user equipment 140, the receiver 1510 furtheris configured to receive, from the second radio network node 120, thesecond parameter to be used by the user equipment for measuring said atleast one measurement quantity, the second parameter relates to thesecond measurement period.

The user equipment 140 further comprises a processing circuit 1520configured to determine the first measurement period based on the firstparameter; wherein the processing circuit 1520 further is configured tomeasure said at least one measurement quantity on at least the secondcell on the second carrier over the first measurement period.

In some embodiments of the user equipment 140, the processing circuit1520 further is configured to measure said at least one measurementquantity on the third cell on the second carrier over the firstmeasurement period.

In some embodiments of the user equipment 140, the processing circuit1520 further is configured to determine the second measurement periodbased on the second parameter, and measure said at least one measurementquantity on the third cell on the second carrier over the secondmeasurement period.

In some embodiments of the user equipment 140, the user equipment 140further comprises a transmitter 1530. The transmitter may be configuredfor communication with the first and/or second radio network node 110,120.

In some embodiments of the user equipment 140, the user equipment 140further comprises a memory 1540 for storing software to be executed by,for example, the processing circuit. The software may compriseinstructions to enable the processing circuit to perform the methods inthe user equipment 140 as described above in conjunction with FIG. 4 andFIG. 14 .

As used herein, the term “processing circuit” denotes a processing unit,a processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA) or the like. As an example, aprocessor, an ASIC, an FPGA or the like may comprise one or moreprocessor kernels.

As used herein, the term “memory” denotes a hard disk, a magneticstorage medium, a portable computer diskette or disc, flash memory,random access memory (RAM) or the like. Furthermore, the memory may bean internal register memory of a processing circuit.

An exemplifying base station 32, e.g., an eNodeB, which can receiveand/or transmit parameters associated with uplink control signalsprocessed as described above is generically illustrated in FIG. 16 .Therein, the eNodeB 32 includes one or more antennas 71 connected toprocessor(s) 74 via transceiver(s) 73. The processor 74 is configured toanalyze and process signals received over an air interface via theantennas 71, as well as those signals received from core network node(e.g., access gateway) via, e.g., an interface. The processor(s) 74 mayalso be connected to one or more memory device(s) 76 via a bus 78.Further units or functions, not shown, for performing various operationsas encoding, decoding, modulation, demodulation, encryption, scrambling,pre-coding, etc., and as described above, may optionally be implementednot only as electrical components but also in software or a combinationof these two possibilities as would be appreciated by those skilled inthe art to enable the transceiver(s) 72 and processor(s) 74 to processuplink and downlink signals. A similar, generic structure, e.g.,including a memory device, processor(s) and a transceiver, can be used(among other things) to implement communication nodes such as UEs 36 toreceive information or parameter(s) related to period(s) for makingmeasurements, making such measurements and transmitting measurementreports in the manner described above.

One exemplifying LTE architecture for processing data for transmissionby an eNodeB 32 to a user equipment 36 (downlink) is shown in FIG. 17 .Therein, data to be transmitted by the eNodeB 32 (e.g., IP packets) to aparticular user is first processed by a packet data convergence protocol(PDCP) entity 50 in which the IP headers are (optionally) compressed andciphering of the data is performed. The radio link control (RLC) entity52 handles, among other things, segmentation of (and/or concatenationof) the data received from the PDCP entity 50 into protocol data units(PDUs). Additionally, the RLC entity 52 provides a retransmissionprotocol (ARQ) which monitors sequence number status reports from itscounterpart RLC entity in the user equipment 36 to selectivelyretransmit PDUs as requested. The medium access control (MAC) entity 54is responsible for uplink and downlink scheduling via scheduler 56, aswell as the hybrid-ARQ processes discussed above. A physical (PHY) layerentity 58 takes care of coding, modulation, and multi-antenna mapping,among other things. Each entity shown in FIG. 4 provides outputs to, andreceives inputs from, their adjacent entities by way of bearers orchannels as shown. The reverse of these processes are provided for theuser equipment 36 as shown in FIG. 4 for the received data, and the userequipment 36 also has similar transmit chain elements as the eNB 32 fortransmitting on the uplink toward the eNB 32, as will be described inmore detail below particularly with respect to uplink control signaling.

The above-described exemplifying embodiments are intended to beillustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the presentdisclosure. All such variations and modifications are considered to bewithin the scope and spirit of the embodiments herein as defined by thefollowing claims. No element, act, or instruction used in thedescription of the present application should be construed as criticalor essential to the embodiments herein unless explicitly described assuch. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include oneor more items.

1. A method in a first radio network node for enabling a second radionetwork node to determine a first parameter to be used by a userequipment for measuring at least one measurement quantity on a secondcell, wherein the first parameter relates to a first measurement period,wherein the second cell is operated on a second carrier by the secondradio network node, and wherein the second cell serves the userequipment, the method comprising: sending at least one parameterrelating to the first measurement period to the second radio networknode, thereby enabling the second radio network node to determine thefirst parameter based on said at least one parameter.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the first radio network node operates athird cell on the second carrier, wherein the first parameter further isto be used by the user equipment for measuring said at least onemeasurement quantity on the third cell.
 3. The method according to claim1, wherein said at least one parameter relating to the first measurementperiod comprises one or more of: the first parameter to be used by theuser equipment, one or more measurement period related parametersreceived from one or more radio network nodes neighboring to the secondradio network node, and one or more factors relating to deployment. 4.The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving said atleast one parameter relating to the first measurement period from athird network node.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said atleast one measurement quantity relates to positioning measurement usedfor determining a position of the user equipment or is RSRP, RSTD orRSRQ.
 6. A first radio network node for enabling a second radio networknode to determine a first parameter to be used by a user equipment formeasuring at least one measurement quantity on a second cell whichserves the user equipment, wherein the first parameter relates to afirst measurement period, wherein the first radio network node isconfigured to operate the second cell on a second carrier, wherein thefirst radio network node comprises: a transmitter configured to send atleast one parameter relating to the first measurement period to thesecond radio network node, whereby the second radio network node is ableto determine the first parameter based on said at least one parameter.7. The first radio network node according to claim 6, wherein the firstradio network node is configured to operate a third cell on the secondcarrier and the first parameter is to be used by the user equipment formeasuring at least one measurement quantity on the third cell.
 8. Thefirst radio network node according to claim 6, wherein said at least oneparameter relating to the first measurement period comprises one or moreof: the first parameter to be used by the user equipment, one or moremeasurement period related parameters received from one or more radionetwork node neighboring to the second radio network node, and one ormore factors relating to deployment.
 9. The first radio network nodeaccording to claim 6, wherein the first radio network node furthercomprises: a receiver configured to receive said at least one parameterrelating to the first measurement period from a third network node. 10.The first radio network node according to claim 6, wherein said at leastone measurement quantity relates to positioning measurement used fordetermining a position of the user equipment.
 11. A method in a secondradio network node for providing a first parameter to be used by a userequipment for measuring at least one measurement quantity on a secondcell, wherein the first parameter relates to a first measurement period,wherein the second radio network node operates the second cell on asecond carrier, wherein the second cell serves the user equipment, themethod comprising: sending, to the user equipment, the first parameterand an indication indicative of the second carrier, wherein the firstparameter is determined based on a specific length of the firstmeasurement period.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein afirst radio network node operates a third cell on the second carrier.13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first parameterfurther is to be used by the user equipment for measuring said at leastone measurement quantity on the third cell.
 14. The method according toclaim 12, further comprising: sending, to the user equipment, a secondparameter to be used by the user equipment for measuring said at leastone measurement quantity on the third cell, wherein the second parameterrelates to a second measurement period, and wherein the second parameteris determined based on a specific length of the second measurementperiod.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said at least oneparameter comprises one or more of: the first parameter to be used bythe user equipment, one or more measurement period related parametersreceived from one or more radio network nodes neighboring to the secondradio network node, and one or more factors relating to deployment. 16.The method according to claim 11, wherein the second radio network nodefurther operates a first cell on a first carrier, wherein the userequipment is served by the first cell which is configured to providecontrol information to the user equipment.
 17. The method according toclaim 16, wherein the sending of the first parameter and the indicationand/or the second parameter is on the first carrier.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 15, when said at least one parameter comprises one ormore measurement period related parameters, wherein the first parameteris determined as one of: the maximum of said one or more measurementperiod related parameters, the minimum of said one or more measurementperiod related parameters, the arithmetic mean of said one or moremeasurement period related parameters, and the geometric mean of saidone or more measurement period related parameters.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising: receiving said at least oneparameter from a first radio network node and/or a third network node.20. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: sending thefirst parameter to a third network node. 21-42. (canceled)